I grabbed my Williams today, which resides in a Spearhead Seaforth! mug. This stuff is super quick to use. I went at it with a slightly damp brush. I didn't "lather" or add water. I reloaded the brush for every pass. Basically, Williams takes no water at all and doesn't benefit from any "working". Just load and spread.
I like mild razors, and the 34C is certainly mild. I have milder razors that are more efficient, though, so the 34C doesn't win any awards in my book. Still, after some buffing I got a really nice close shave.
Blackland Era level 3 and Gillette Tech come to mind. My Gillette Red Tip is pretty mild but the 34C might be milder.
Honestly, feeling my face a few hours later this was a very good shave. The efficiency didn't really show itself until the last pass, but maybe I should retract my "statement" 🫠.
I have never tried a Black land, but I prefer the 34C to the Tech. Admittedly, I have a weak spot for 2 piece razors, and the 34C was the first good razor I bought, so I might be biased 🤷♂️
Merkur is on my shit list which doesn't help. I've had 2 34Cs. The first one I got used and it has good plating and decent enough knurling on the handle. The second one I got for a friend, who later sent it back to me (too mild for him). That one had crappy plating on the base plate, super shallow knurling, rough threads, and a crack in the handle. Garbage all around and Merkur said to contact the seller. I bought it from Chiseled Face on sale and didn't want to bother Ron with the nonesense... I think I PIF'd that one.